ANC sheds 19 seats, but ‘tainted’ remain

Johannesburg - Some ministers and deputy ministers will not be returning to Parliament when the national legislature is officially reconstituted next week.

This comes after the ANC shed at least 19 seats, down from 249, during the general elections last Wednesday.

This emerged from the government gazette published by the Independent Electoral Commission on Wednesday.

Among those who did not make the cut are Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Senzeni Zokwana, Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel and Justice and Correctional Services Minister Michael Masutha.

Water and Sanitation Minister Gugile Nkwinti and Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies did not stand for election after they were not nominated. Also, former public works minister Nkosinathi Nhleko did not make the cut of elected candidates.

The axe also fell on several chairpersons of parliamentary portfolio committees, including finance committee chairperson Yunus Carrim, the small business development committee’s Ruth Bengu, home affairs portfolio chairperson Patrick Chauke, public works committee chairperson Humphrey Mmemezi and the police committee’s Francois Beukman.

Vincent Smith, who was implicated in the Zondo commission of Inquiry into State Capture, was not even on the candidate lists. However, the names of questionable leaders, some of whom were the subject of allegations at the Zondo commission and have adverse court rulings, still appear on the lists despite calls for their removal.